U.S. Army officer Crawford Outland has taken command of the soldiers entrusted with guarding one of the nation’s most sacred military memorials.
First Lt. James Crawford Outland has taken over as Commander of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Senator Katie Britt announced this week.
“Congratulations to Alabamian 1LT James Crawford Outland on taking over as the Commander of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Britt (R-Montgomery) wrote.
“Proud to see an Alabamian serving our country and helping honor our nation’s heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. Wishing Crawford all the best as he serves in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, ‘The Old Guard’!”
The Commander of the Guard serves as platoon leader for the Tomb Guard, overseeing the soldiers responsible for maintaining the continuous watch at the Tomb.
Soldiers from the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” have maintained that watch since 1948, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Outland entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2019 after receiving a service academy nomination from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham). He graduated in 2023 and commissioned into the Army as an infantry officer.
He later completed the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course and Army Ranger School before serving with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. Outland also represented the division in the 2025 Best Ranger Competition.
In a LinkedIn post earlier this year, Outland reflected on the path that eventually brought him to The Old Guard after an injury during the competition changed the course of his next assignment.
“What initially felt like a low point became an unexpected opportunity,” Outland wrote.
He said he had admired The Old Guard “since my early years at West Point for its professionalism and dedication to honoring our nation’s heroes.”
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m grateful for the path that led me here,” he wrote.
Outland will now lead the platoon responsible for carrying on one of the U.S. military’s most recognizable and solemn traditions at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
